A Hoover Home Depot employee was gunned down early this morning in what appears to be an ambush as he left work, authorities said.

Hoover police about 12:31 a.m. received a 911 call reporting shots fired at the Home Depot on U.S. Highway 280. Officers arrived on the scene and found the victim, an adult male, lying in the parking lot. He had been shot multiple times, said Hoover police Capt. Gregg Rector, and was pronounced dead on the scene by Hoover Fire Department paramedics.

Rector said the store had been closed several hours, but said some employees routinely work well past closing time. The victim was walking to his vehicle when the gunman appeared and starting firing at him. A witness who was nearby ran back into the store and called 911.

The shooter fled the scene on foot, and remains at large. Witnesses did not see a getaway vehicle.

Rector said investigators don't yet know a motive. There were no words exchanged prior to the shooting, and there was no robbery attempt, he said. Since at least one other employee was nearby at the time, it appears the victim was specifically targeted by the suspect.

Detectives have worked throughout the night gathering evidence and conducting interviews, Rector said. He identified the victim this afternoon as Xavier Montez Beasley, 25.

"Someone may be able to tell us who held a grudge against this man," Rector said. "This was a terrible crime and we're going to do everything in our power to solve it," he said. "When you have no regard for human life you have to be held accountable."

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Sgt. Keith Czeskleba at 205-739-6795 or the Hoover Police Department at 205-822-5300. Tipsters who want to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward can call Crime Stoppers 205-254-7777.